First detailed nutritional survey in a referral companion animal population

Optimal nutrition in every life stage and certainly in diseased animals will contribute greatly to improve overall health and quality of life. The 5th VA guidelines have been designed to help veterinarians to implement a nutritional assessment into every patient, every time it comes into their practice. This nutritional survey in referral patients was conducted by one person skilled in acquiring detailed nutritional information and evaluating nutritional status. Two goals were set as follows: first to gain more insight into the nutritional status and management of referred patients and second to gain more insight in the nutritional recommendations given by the treating veterinarian. Using an online survey program, a detailed nutritional survey was designed using the 5th VA guidelines as a roadmap. Ultimately, 100 surveys were completed using referral patients with following results: only 15% of referred patients were cats; obesity occurrence was high with 53% of cats and 35% of dogs being overweight or obese; eleven per cent of animals had an abnormal MCS; and five of seven dogs with an abnormal MCS dogs died within 6 months. Several nutritional risk factors were undiagnosed and consequently untreated in these patients. Therefore, continued efforts must be made to educate practicing veterinarians into using the nutritional guidelines. The routine use of these guidelines by veterinarians will ultimately improve the nutritional status of all companion animals and might reduce the prevalence of diseases where poor nutrition or management has a contributing role.